I start with house, but end up with tarnce!

[dj ray]

Hehe! This is a funny topic. I used to suffer from Tarnce-itis. Most of my tracks would start off as earnest Electro/House numbers and end up somewhere in Tarnce Pants land. As a former victim, I believe I am in a unique position to comment on this condition.

1) You are a very 'musical' person and have a good ear for melody.
2) You grew up listening to a lot of synth pop.
3) You also suffer from another condition called 'riff-itis' where for every bassline you program, you have a dozen catchy hooks to complement.
4) You love 80s instrumentals like Axel F.

The remedy:
House is all about the 'feel' and synergy. 1+1=11. A few well chosen parts work better than half a dozen average ones. Most house tracks don't have too much going on. Its all about clever programming, liberal filter sweeps, anticipation, rise and fall and always leaving them wanting more.

The key is to change your habits. Every time you have a melodic tendency, fight it. Every time you feel like sticking a bunch of nice little riffs in there, don't. Avoid riffs altogether, or stick to one if you must. Keep most things in the background and focus on the main element, whether it's the bass or the vocal. Avoid the tendency to fall back on your 'formula'. Do the 'opposite' of what you are inclined to do. Hey, it worked for George Costanza...

Or you could combine the two and make Progressive House. But why would you want to do that...

[tehlord]

1) You are a very 'musical' person and have a good ear for melody.
2) You grew up listening to a lot of synth pop.
3) You also suffer from another condition called 'riff-itis' where for every bassline you program, you have a dozen catchy hooks to complement.
4) You love 80s instrumentals like Axel F.

You Sir are surely spying on me!

That made me laugh

[Kraku]

House:
- has lots of groove, the more, the better
- the rhythm/bassline feels "jumpy"

Trance:
- doesn't have any groove
- the rhythm/bassline feels "rolling"

It doesn't really matter which chord progressions and sounds you use. It's all about the rhythm & groove.

[Aldanor]

I have exactly same problem as OP I don't mind GOOD trance, but whatever I compose inevitably turns into trance. Lol.

[MOK19]

Hehe! This is a funny topic. I used to suffer from Tarnce-itis. Most of my tracks would start off as earnest Electro/House numbers and end up somewhere in Tarnce Pants land. As a former victim, I believe I am in a unique position to comment on this condition.

1) You are a very 'musical' person and have a good ear for melody.
2) You grew up listening to a lot of synth pop.
3) You also suffer from another condition called 'riff-itis' where for every bassline you program, you have a dozen catchy hooks to complement.
4) You love 80s instrumentals like Axel F.

Wow. That's pretty jaw-droppingly accurate. I'm impressed... And confused you came to those conclusions on your own, even if it was regarding yourself!

The remedy:
House is all about the 'feel' and synergy. 1+1=11. A few well chosen parts work better than half a dozen average ones. Most house tracks don't have too much going on. Its all about clever programming, liberal filter sweeps, anticipation, rise and fall and always leaving them wanting more.

The key is to change your habits. Every time you have a melodic tendency, fight it. Every time you feel like sticking a bunch of nice little riffs in there, don't. Avoid riffs altogether, or stick to one if you must. Keep most things in the background and focus on the main element, whether it's the bass or the vocal. Avoid the tendency to fall back on your 'formula'. Do the 'opposite' of what you are inclined to do. Hey, it worked for George Costanza...

Or you could combine the two and make Progressive House. But why would you want to do that...

I see what you're describing here, but having a hard time making the concept 'work' in my head. No riffs?! None!? Sacrilege! I should burn you at the stake!

.... But I'll seekritly try your suggestion nonetheless.

[ATS]

or you could just stop thinking about genres and make whatever you want to make.

[MOK19]

Incidentally, I do that! It's great.
People tend to call the results things like house and trance.

[dmaze]

+1

[VSTadapter]

1) You are a very 'musical' person and have a good ear for melody.
2) You grew up listening to a lot of synth pop.
3) You also suffer from another condition called 'riff-itis' where for every bassline you program, you have a dozen catchy hooks to complement.
4) You love 80s instrumentals like Axel F.

got me 2!!! what a great topic!